Johor govt denies sewage causing pollution in Sungai Masai

JOHOR BARU: The state government has denied claims that pollution in Sungai Masai here is caused by discharge from the Taman Bukit Dahlia sewage plant.
Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said inspection by the Pasir Gudang Municipal Council (MPPG) found that the discharge was not the cause of the pollution.
"If you want to say the plant is the cause, all actions have been taken. There may be other causes that lead to the pollution. In this regard, there should be an integrated cooperation between local authorities, agencies and departments," he told reporters after handing over a one-off consolation payment of RM2,000 to fishermen here today.
He said this in response to a recent call by the Johor Fishermen's Association for MPPG to think of a solution to the alleged pollution, which has been going on for 10 years and caused huge losses to fishermen.
"Prior to this, we have set a committee that monitors the rivers in southern Johor including Sungai Skudai and Masai. So, give us time to investigate the cause of this pollution.
"After all, the MPPG has a river unit to monitor and formulate the conservation initiative of the Sungai Masai," he said.
At the event, 214 fishermen and 62 mussel and caged fish breeders from Pasir Gudang parliamentary constituency received the one-off consolation payment.
They were part of the 1,814 fishermen and breeders who will receive payment in stages in four days, starting today. — Bernama